Around 1000 young people participated in the youth festival "As for gender equality" held in Telavi. Sports and cultural events were organized, while the youth took part of information on gender, sexual health and rights and HIV/AIDS.

Photo: UNFPA Georgia

georgia

Our work in Georgia

Updated: 6 February 2015

Sweden supports Georgia's efforts to strengthen its ties with the European Union through increased economic competitiveness, strengthened democracy and improved environmental performance.

Sweden's support to Georgia is focused on three areas:

Enhanced economic integration with the EU and development of market economy.

Strengthened democracy, greater respect for human rights and a more fully developed state under the rule of law.

A better environment and reduced climate impact and enhanced resilience to environmental impact and climate change.

Economic integration and market economy

Through the Association Agreement signed between EU and Georgia in 2014, Georgia commits to strengthen the capacity of its institutions in the area of trade. The competiveness of the business sector needs to improve for Georgia to be able to benefit from the opportunity to integrate into the internal market of the EU. Through Sida, Sweden supports reforms that help Georgia meet EU standards and guidelines in areas such as food security, statistics and waste management. This includes cooperation between Swedish government authorities such as the Board of Agriculture, Statistics Sweden and the Swedish Enforcement Authority and their Georgian counterparts.

Sida also supports the International School of Economics Policy Institute, which investigates and highlights the socio-economic aspects of the Association Agreement and the DCFTA free trade area.

Information, debate and follow-up of the work of the Georgian authorities in their efforts towards closer EU integration are also strengthened through support to civil society through the Eurasia Partnership Foundation.

Women entrepreneurs have not been a prioritized group for Georgian banks. In cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Sida supports women entrepreneurs, who are offered advice and loans. Participating banks are also offered training in new financial instruments, and a guarantee covering loans.

Democracy and Human Rights

To be able to integrate closer with the EU, Georgia needs to strengthen its public administration and improve the possibility for its citizens to demand accountability from decision makers.Through Sida, Sweden supports a number of Georgian authorities, such as the Bureau of Statistics (Geostat), the National Food Agency, the National Bureau of Enforcement, the National Agency for Property Registration, the Public Service Development Agency and the Solid Waste Company, in their efforts to better meet the needs of citizens.

In order to strengthen the interactions between politicians and voters Sida supports the implementation of regular opinion polls through the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Sida's support is also used for training of journalists in how the results of the polls can be analyzed. Additionally, NDI is working with support from Sida to promote women politicians in all parties and increase women's political participation.

Sida supports the promotion of gender equality in Georgia at several levels, from policy work at the national level to grassroots initiatives. One example is the fight against gender-based violence, by strengthening the work of local organisations. Sida also cooperates with UN Women to support shelters for abused women.

Civil society is a key partner for Sweden. Sida provides support to larger organizations such as Transparency International Georgia, and to smaller organizations through the Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF). The EPF supports grassroots initiatives to increase political participation and create opportunities for citizens to hold decision makers accountable. This also includes support to media and information campaigns.

Environment and Climate

The management of emissions and waste in Georgia needs to be further improved. In cooperation with the EBRD and the World Bank, Sida supports the construction of waste disposal facilities and waste water treatment plants.

In 2014, Georgia adopted new legislation, placing greater responsibility on producers for taking care of and recycling waste. However, there is need for increased awareness of the negative effects of littering on people, nature and climate, and for the development of infrastructure for waste disposal, including recycling. Sida supports three Georgian environmental organizations working to increase understanding and to raise awareness about environmentally sustainable waste management among children and youths, as well as among politicians.

Sida also supports energy efficiency at the municipal level through the regional program Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P).

Association Agreement

In 2014, an Association Agreement was signed between the EU and Georgia, and hence also between Sweden and Georgia. The agreement strengthens the political and economic cooperation and promotes good governance and economic growth. Within the framework of the Association Agreement, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) was created between Georgia and the EU. The agreement also places emphasis on human rights and sustainable development.

Sida's mission

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, is a government agency working on behalf of the Swedish parliament and government, with the mission to reduce poverty in the world. Through our work and in cooperation with others, we contribute to implementing Sweden’s Policy for Global Development.